It’s that time of the year again and as February rattles into March, award season is upon us and two very Irish awards are up for settling. The Meteor Choice Music Prize Album Of The Year will be decided by a couple of hours of debate by thirteen lovely music people. The Irish Song Of The Year however is decided by YOU.
This means you can make the difference to one of the acts by throwing your weight behind it and voting for their song. There are ten songs nominated based on the charts, radio-play and judging panel input. Each of the ten songs have earned their place on the list, even though many other quality Irish songs have missed out. So we thought we would break down our opinion on the tracks for you and help you decide how you want to vote.
Meteor is encouraging people to get involved by casting their vote through the Meteor Facebook page www.facebook.com/meteor or by texting ‘SONG’ to 085 711 4444 for a list of nominees.
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Hozier – Take Me To Church (Rubyworks)
He’s the talk of the town and rightly so as one of the hottest talents to emerge out of Dublin in recent times. He has sold out shows pretty much everywhere he’s played recently and his brilliant video to Take Me To Church has notched up a mighty 1.5m views on YouTube. He even made the GoldenPlec Best Of 2013 taking Best Irish Video and Best Irish EP.
The song itself is powerful and ethereal, drenched in passion and mixes choral elements with brilliant pop sensibilities making it one of the brilliant songs of 2013.
Kodaline – Brand New Day (Sony Music)
We’ve given plenty of coverage to Kodaline over 2013 and their rise to prominence has made them unavoidable. Fantastic videos and a masterfully constructed album that struck a chord with millions around the world means Kodaline have gone from a decent local band to a world recognised name in just over a year.
Brand New Day is one of the brighter, happier songs on an album dripping with emotion and tales of love and heartache. It stands out as a wonderfully feel-good anthem capable of drawing your mind to a summer wonderland even on the coldest rainy day. It was a perfectly fitting song as the sun came out during their Main Stage performance at Electric Picnic and the fans basked in a glorious moment.
James Vincent McMorrow – Cavalier
James Vincent McMorrow is a name we’re delighted to be seeing once again on press releases and gig announcements. His gorgeous voice touches you in a way no other seems capable. It’s the kind of music that allows you to stick on a set of headphone, close the door and let the world melt away.
He returned this year with the stunning Cavalier as a precursor to the release of ‘Post-Tropical’, which undoubtedly will be sitting in the list of nominee’s for Album Of The Year twelve months hence. It’s dramatic, emotional and, as always, beautiful throughout. It truly is a joy to listen to.
Villagers – Nothing Arrived (Domino)
Should we be shocked that Conor O’Brien and his wonderfully talented band find themselves nominated for album and song of the year? Absolutely not. Villagers have carved out a name for themselves over the past few years with stunning live shows made up from a back-catalogue of emotive, catchy songs.
The happy piano-drive track blends to the shattered hope expressed in the lyrics making for a gloriously gloomy song that you just can’t get enough of. We wouldn’t be shocked if they took home the prize.
Daithí– Chameleon Life (Sony Music)
Over the last while Daithí has been exploring and progressing his sound, evolving into something new each time we heard him. Then he came out with Chameleon Life. It was a complete game changer and has proven to be one of his biggest tracks to date.
The track is absolutely massive, and has that catchy summertime hit vibe. Festivals all over the summer of 2013 broke out into infectious dancing as Daithí weaved his magic live. The album has been in the pipeline for a little while but if Chameleon Life is any kind of indication, it’ll be worth the wait.
I am The Cosmos – Look Me In The Eye (Self Released)
When we reviewed I Am The Cosmos album ‘Monochrome’ almost exactly a year ago, we whispered the Choice nomination words. Unfortunately they didn’t manage to end up on the final ten in the album list but Look Me In The Eye has lodged itself among the song of the year contenders.
With hints of Joy Division mixed with hints of a dark ’80s synth epic that layers and builds to a beautiful crescendo, this track is not just worth a listen, it’s worth a vote.
Two Door Cinema Club – Changing of The Seasons (Warner)
Last year ‘Beacon’ was nominated in the best album shortlist. This year Two Door Cinema Club released an EP entitled ‘Changing Of The Seasons’ and the title track earned the Northern Irish indie-pop giants another nomination in the song of the year category.
And the pop machine trundles on with another infectiously catchy hit in Changing Of The Seasons that thousands will be dancing to at festivals and venues all around the world.
The Original Rudeboys – Never Gonna Walk Away (Rubyworks)
If you’re a fan of Irish music, you’ll certainly have heard of The Original Rudeboys. Even if you’re not a fan you probably heard Stars In My Eyes as they slowly went viral and the start of a massive fanbase formed. Over the last two years, The Original Rudeboys have built their following slowly with a charming dedication to the fans and backing it up with some really catchy songs.
Touring with The Script has definitely influenced their writing and Never Gonna Walk Away gives us their most radio-friendly, catchy and sing-along track to date. These guys are only getting started and will surely be providing many more memorable tracks for years to come.
New Jackson – Sat Around Here Waiting (Hivern Discs)
David Kitt’s electronic side project New Jackson has been a regular feature over 2013 and as well as picking up a rake of fans along the way, he has managed to get himself amongst the mix for the song of the year award.
The percussion-driven track has a layer of creamy-smooth keys topped with his signature vocoder that can get a dance floor moving, despite its melancholic tone.
The Strypes – You Can’t Judge a Book by the Cover (Universal)
Josh, Ross, Peter and Evan shot to fame over the last 18 months with their old style rock n’ roll blues that seemed to defy their age. While some bands can play, but lack experience and showmanship that comes with constant gigging, The Strypes hit both nails on the head from the off and have amassed a global following including Dave Grohl and Elton John who signed them to his label.
It’s hard to comments on You Can’t Judge A Book By The Cover as a song by The Strypes as it’s a cover of a Bo Diddley classic, but the boys put their own energy and spin to the track and kick the tempo and intensity of the song to eleven for a new generation of fans for this old classic.
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